nows what may happen before
to-morrow. Something is sure to come along and prevent anybody's doing
what they want to do," she said crossly.

Granny looked at her with grieved eyes. "I think you generally manage to
do what you want to, Mona," she said, gravely. "I don't think you can
have profited much by what you've read," she added, and turned to Lucy.

Mona laid down her book with a sigh. "It's much easier to read about
being good than to be good oneself," she thought.

Lucy came in from the scullery with a vase full of water. "I'll have a
few nice flowers for you to take to Miss Lester on Sunday, Mona, if you'll
come and fetch them."

"Thank you," said Mona, but she looked and spoke glumly. She was still
vexed with Lucy for coming in and interrupting them. She did not know
that Lucy came in at meal-times just to make sure that granny had her
meals, for Mona thought nothing of being an hour late with them if she was
occupied in some other way.

"Don't trouble about it, if you don't care to have them," Lucy added
quietly. And Mona felt reproved.

"I'd like to," she said, looking ashamed of herself. "Miss Lester loves
having flowers. I'll run up on Saturday evening for them, mother.
They'll be better for being in water all night."

"That's right. Now, I'll cook the fish while you lay the cloth. Granny'll
be fainting if we don't give her something to eat and drink soon. I
should have been down before, but I had to see father off."

"Will he be out all night?" Granny asked, anxiously. She never got over
her dread of the sea at night.

"Yes. If they get much of a catch they'll take it in to Baymouth to land.
The 'buyers' will be there to-morrow. I'm hoping Peter'll be back in the
afternoon. These are fine whiting. You like whiting, don't you, mother?"

"Yes, very much. It's kind of you to bring them. I feel now how badly I
was wanting my tea. You'll have some with us?"

"I think I will. I was so busy getting Peter off that I didn't have
anything myself."

Mona laid the cloth with extra care. Lucy's vase of stocks stood at one
corner. Though it was August, the wind was cold, and the little bit of
fire in the grate made the kitchen very pleasant and cosy.

"I've got a bit of news for you, Mona," said Lucy, coming back from
putting away the frying-pan. "Mrs. Luxmore told me that Miss Lester is
engaged. Had you heard it?"

"Oh, no! What, my Miss Lester? Miss Grace?" Mona was intensel